Control systems

ABSTRACT

A control system for exercising a control in dependence upon the function where N is a rotational speed and T is a fluid temperature in which first and second pulses are produced whose timing is dependent on the rotational speed. The first pulse is transmitted through a delay line containing fluid at the temperature T and compared in a comparator with the second pulses. The output from the comparator is used as a feed back signal to bring the two pulses into coincidence.

United States Patent [72] Inventors ,Iohn Christopher Hammond Davis; 3,339,571 9/1967 Hatch 137/81.5 Guy Edward Davies. Taplow. England 3,342,196 9/ 1967 Przybylko 137/81.5X [21] Appl. No. 775,066- 3,352,267 1 1/1967 Brandriff 137/81.5X [22] Filed Nov. 12, 1968 3,363,595 1 1968 Braridriff 137/81.5X [45] Patented Feb. 2, 1971 3,393,692 7/1968 Geary 137/81.5X [73] Assignee British Telecommunications Research 3,395,718 8/1968 Wolff 137/81.5X Limited 3,395,719 8/1968 Boothe 137/81.5X Taplow, England 3,410,287 11/1968 Heyden 137/81.5X a Bnush company Primary Examiner-Clarence R. Gordon Attorney-Young & Thompson [54] CONTROL SYSTEMS 9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 137/39,

37 315 ABSTRACT: A control system for exercising a control in de- [51] lut.Cl Fl6k 17/36 501 Field of Search l37/8l.5 Pendence the l where N a q 39; 73/415; 415/14 17; 235/200 1 speed and T is a fluid temperature in which first and second q pulses are produced whose timing is dependent on the rotational speed. The first pulse is transmitted through a delay line [56] References cued containing fluid at the temperature T and compared in a com UNITED STATES PATENTS parator with the second pulses. The output from the compara- 3,233,522 2/1966 Stern 137/81.5X tor is used as a feed back signal to bring the two pulses into 3,260,271 7/ 1966 Katz 137/81.5X coincidence.

AIR

SUPPLY SLOT ,N REM. DL

SD A AIR' SUPPLY C v B COMPARATOR OUTPUT SIGNAL PATENTEDFEB 21911' 3,559,665

' "SHEET1UF4 SLOT N REM. DL

v 'AIR SUPPLY j\ COMPARATOR u H6. 7. ZIE NZJ A CHOKED EXHAUST 5D COMPRESSOR DELIVERY N RPM. IAIIZ AT T2 DL C /COMPARATOR OUTPUT 2 SIGNAL REEERENcE PULSE REFERENCE 3 SSTEADY 1 OUTPUT PATENTEDFEB 219m 3559.665

' sum 2 or 4 PULSE M r-- SUPPLY SIGNAL 48 PULSE FIRST ourpur DELAY LINE E SIGNAL PULSE SD DOUBLE REFERENCE I I COMPARATOR PULSE 7 UNIT} Q 6 IAIPUT .131. v I 1 FROM EXHAUST COMPRESSO DML MONOSTABLE 5 POWER AMPLIFIER SI 32 ITS .v v

POWER A FIG 1 T0 1.6V.

' AC7UATOR //VV/V7'0rfi$ dy'kav rJM PATENT ED FEB 2 Ian (j FROM COMPRESSOR SHEET 3 BF 4 REFERENCE Y PULSE INPUT DISC - MONOSTABLE SWITCHES OR/[INPUT owsn /AMPL/F/ER5 I v V N J POWER TO I 1 av. ACTUATOR nous/.5 COMPARATOR 2. 2. COMPARATOR c 5 wwr 3 4 D 5 a; F *I V wiji L W0 PULSE'C' v v; "No PULSE" LDML /:PULSE PRESENT n 5 0R INPUT MONOSTABLE OVERR/DE SWITCHES SIMULATED "PULSE PRESE N 7 v OUTPUTS TO AMPLIFIERS 4ND STAB/USING NETWORK Guy 5014mm. JAM 5.:

6v 'JM I I .L mom COMPRESSOR J PATENTED FEB 2mm 3559.665

E SHEET u 0F 4 REFERENCE OVERRIDE DOUBLE PULSE INPUT COMPARATOR VENT b/2/-Pur MONOSTABLE OVER RIDE SWITCHES MONOSTABLE SWITCHES PASS I VE DIFFERENCE UNIT 0R INPUT POWER AMPLIFIERS TO 1.6V. ACTUATOR Awewrmar CONTROL SYSTEMS This invention relates to systems and arrangements for exercising a control in dependence upon the function controlling the inlet guide vanes on a gas turbine engine. In such application the control parameter is l V7 where N is the rotational speed of the compressor and T is the absolute total temperature of the compressor delivery air.

Broadly, the invention employs a fluidic system comprising means for comparing the timing of fluid pressure pulses whose initial timing is determined by the rotational speed N and one of which is transmitted through a delay line of predetermined and known length and which is filled with fluid at the temperature T. From such comparison means is derived an output signal suitable for operating or controlling the operation of actuator means for causing alteration of a variable affecting either the rotational speed, the temperature or the geometry of the system so that the compared pulses are or can be brought into time coincidence.

The nature of the invention will be better understood from the following brief description of arrangements embodying the invention and adapted to control the inlet guide vanes of a gas turbine engine given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for exercising a control in dependence on the' parameter FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a basic system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fluidic pulse timing comparator;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system in accordance with the invention using a comparator of the type illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a system similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4 but including feedback;

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative system having provision for preventing maloperation when the first pulse is received by the comparator a long time before the second pulse; and,

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system in accordance with the invention incorporating all features illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6.

Throughout the drawings,,the reference V is used to denote a vent and the reference S is used to denote a steady power supply. The various power supplies S are not all at the same pressure.

In FIG. 1, a rotating slotted disc SD driven by the compressor generates a signal pulse by momentarily allowing access of fluid pressure to the end A of a conduit forming a delay line where M, is a constant dependent on the pressure ratio across the leading edgeof the pulse and Tis the absolute temperature of the fluid in the delayline. The terms -y and R, are substantially constant for a given gas (in this case air) over the range of temperature normally encountered. The delay time 81,, is

then

seconds where l is the length of the delay line in centimeters.

The delay time 81,, is given by seconds, where (I) is in degrees and N is in r.p.m.

When

the comparator C then gives no output. When 8:, 51,, one pulse arrives at C before the other and the comparator gives one of two possible outputs corresponding respectively to 81', 82,, and 8% 8! The output from C causes the inlet guide vane (hereinafter referred to as I.G.V.)'actuator to move the guide vanes in the appropriate direction and a mechanical feedback linkage changes the angle correspondingly, for example, by moving the inlet A or Baround an are centered on the axis of the disc SD. The output from the comparator ceases when has changed sufficiently to cause 8!, to become equal to 82,.

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement for maintaining a constant pressure ratio across the pulse to maintain M, constant. The

an=u

delay line DL is flushed with compressor delivery air at temperature T exhausting at A through a choked nozzle. If the pressure ratio across the exhaust is insufficient to choke a normalnozzle, a venturi may be used instead. The signal pulse is now generated in the delay line by the movement of a lobe on the disc which momentarily blocks'the exhaust, thereby transmitting a pressure pulse against the flushing air stream to the comparator at C. Since the exhaust is choked the Mach number of the flushing air stream is constant (determined by geometry only) so that pulse pressure ratio, and hence M,,, is also constant.

The function of the comparator C is to compare the arrival time of each signal pulse with that of the corresponding reference pulse. A preferred form of such comparator comprises fluidic devices as illustrated in FIG. 3.

a diaphragm valve arrangement as also shown in FIG. 4. The

power amplifiers conveniently take the form of monostable fluidic switching devices S1 and S2 of the same general form.

In order to prevent noise in the compressor delivery air from causing spurious switching of the comparator fluidic devices a dummy delay line DML is preferably used with connections to inputs DI and DZof the double comparator unit, as also shown in FIG. 4, to balancethe devices and provide a noise canceling arrangement.

In order'to provide adequate stability in the system rate feedback may be required as shown in'FIG. 5.

During nonnal operation over the working range the leading edge of the signal pulse in the delay line lies between C l and C when the reference pulse is applied. In this condition the outputs from the double comparator unit are vented via the monostable switches S and 8,. If the I.G.V. angle is incorrect for the existing value of 13 the leading edge of the signal pulse will not lie between C and C and an output from the double comparator unit then switches on one of the monostable power amplifiers A, or A One side of the diaphragm valve AV is then pressurized thereby admitting power to the l.G.V. actuator. The rate of operation of the l.G.V. actuator is dependent on the displacement of the diaphragm valve, which in turn is dependent on the pressure difference across it. This signal, detected by a passive difference unit PDU is used to bias the appropriate switch S, or S Thus if A, is switched on, S, receives a bias signal, although it has no supply pressure until A, is released.

When the actuator has established the correct l.G.V. angle the leading edge of the delay line signal pulse once again lies between C, and C the appropriate amplifier A, or A is again switched off, and power is restored to the corresponding switch S, or 5,. However, due to the delay in exhausting the diaphragm valve via the amplifier vents, a pressure difference remains for a short time causing continued movement of the l.G.V. actuator. Compensation for this is applied through the appropriate switch 5, or S when it regains its power supply from the double comparator unit.

Since the switch concerned is still biased by the pressure difference in the diaphragm valve AV its output is not vented and so switches on the opposing power amplifier. This remains on until the pressure difference in the diaphragm valve is reduced to zero when the switch is released and the amplifier switched ofi. The pressures on the opposite sides of the diaphragm valve then decay at the same rate.

At very low values of t/Tz such as occur at low engine power, the signal pulse will pass completely through the delay line DL before the reference pulse is applied. The double comparator unit, however, will produce an output corresponding to that for high i.e. as if the signal pulse had not yet arrived. In order to deal with this condition an override comparator as shown at C in FIG. 6 may be provided.

in normal operation, i.e. when the leading edge of the signal pulse lies between C, and C on the delay line DL, the pulse occupies a sufficient length of the line to overlap the overn'de comparator position C The override comparator always sees a pulse when the reference pulse is applied and its output is vented. The double comparator unit drives the or input monostable override switches M, and M to provide a normal output to the amplifiers and stabilizing network.

At very low values of when the signal pulse passes completely through the delay line the override comparator DC will see no pulse when the reference pulse is applied. its output is then switched to provide a simulated pulse present signal to the OR input switches M, and M This signal overrides any input from the double comparator unit and delivers to the amplifiers and stabilizing network a signal consistent with the low value FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the complete system. Conventional systems for controlling the inlet guide vanes of a gas turbine engine use the parameter T, where T, is the engine intake total temperature. Control with respect to T is, as provided by the present invention, preferred for thermodynamic reasons.

The system described above can be modified however, to control with respect to N w/Ti by flushing the delay line DL and dummy line DML with engine intake air instead of compressor delivery air. The delay line and dummy must still exhaust to a low enough pressure to choke the exhaust nozzles; a suction pump (e.g. jetejector pump) may be needed in order to provide the requisite low pressure.

The logic arrangements described above may be modified by using inverse signals throughout but both sides of the diaphragm amplifier will then be pressurized when the system is at rest.

The mechanical feedback may vary the delay line length instead of changing the angle (1) in this case when 81,, 6!

The system according to the invention may be used to control other components or quantities with respect to m 1/? provided a mechanical feedback is available, while another very simple application resides in the use of one or more comparators to provide simple switching functions at one or more specific values of l l) m 1 1 with no mechanical feedback.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for exercising a control in dependence on a function comprising the product of frequency and the reciprocal of the square root of a temperature, said apparatus comprising means for supplying a stream of fluid at said temperature; means for generating a first fluid pulse in said stream of fluid at a time determined by said frequency; a comparator having first, second and third output states; a fluid delay line for continuously transmitting said stream of fluid to said comparator, means for supplying to said comparator; a second fluid pulse whose timing is determined by said frequency; and actuator means responsive to said comparator for increasing a variable afiecting at least one of the group comprising said temperature, the geometry of the apparatus and said frequency when said comparator is in its first output state, decreasing said variable when said comparator is in its second output state and leaving said variable unaltered when said comparator is in its third output state, whereby the compared pulses can be brought into time coincidence.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for generating the first and second fluid pulses comprises a disc arranged to rotate at a speed proportional to said frequency, to allow passage of fluid when in predetermined orientations and to inhibit passage of fluid in other orientations.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the actuator means is arranged to vary the relative angular disposition round the axis of rotation of the disc of the means for generating the first fluid pulse and the means for generating the second fluid pulse.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the means for generating the second pulse includes a nozzle arranged to direct fluid onto the disc, a collector aligned with the nonle on the other side of the disc and a slot in the disc at the same radial distance as the nozzle and collector from the axis of rotation of the disc.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the means for generating the first pulse includes an exhaust at the end of the delay line confronting the disc and a protuberance on the disc at the same radial distance from the axis of rotation of the disc as the exhaust and the arrangement being such that the ex haust is choked except when the protuberance is in alignment therewith.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5. in which the comparator comprises a pair of biased bistable fluidic devices a first one of which is arranged to produce an output signal if the leading edge of the second pulse is received more than a predetermined time after the leading edge of thefirst pulse but before the end of the first pulse and the other of which is arranged to produce an output signal if the leading edge of the second pulse is received more than a predetermined time before that of the first pulse.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which each of said output signals from the first and second bistable devices is operative to actuate the supply of fluid to a respective side of a diaphragm valve and a switching arrangement is provided for equalizing the pressure across the diaphragm when such output ceases.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the comparator includes a third bistable device having an input connected to the delay line nearer to the exhaust then the first and second bistable devices and arranged to produce an output if the trailing edge of the first pulse has passed before the leading edge of the second pulse is received, said output signal being arranged to produce the same effect as said output signal from said first bistable device.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, including an auxiliary delay line arranged to be supplied with fluid from the same source as that supplied to the first mentioned delay line and having inputs to the bistable device so connected thereto that identical signals from the two delay lines oppose one another in the comparator. 

1. Apparatus for exercising a control in dependence on a function comprising the product of frequency and the reciprocal of the square root of a temperature, said apparatus comprising means for supplying a stream of fluid at said temperature; means for generating a first fluid pulse in said stream of fluid at a time determined by said frequency; a comparator having first, second and third output states; a fluid delay line for continuously transmitting said stream of fluid to said comparator, means for supplying to said comparator; a second fluid pulse whose timing is determined by said frequency; and actuator means responsive to said comparator for increasing a variable affecting at least one of the group comprising said temperature, the geometry of the apparatus and said frequency when said comparator is in its first output state, decreasing said variable when said comparator is in its second output state and leaving said variable unaltered when said comparator is in its third output state, whereby the compared pulses can be brought into time coincidence.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for generating the first and second fluid pulses comprises a disc arranged to rotate at a speed proportional to said frequency, to allow passage of fluid when in predetermined orientations and to inhibit passage of fluid in other orientations.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the actuator means is arranged to vary the relative angular disposition round the axis of rotation of the disc of the means for generating the first fluid pulse and the means for generating the second fluid pulse.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the means for generating the second pulse includes a nozzle arranged to direct fluid onto the disc, a collector aligned with the nozzle on the other side of the disc and a slot in the disc at the same radial distance as the nozzle and collector from the axis of rotation of the disc.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the means for generating the first pulse includes an exhaust at the end of the delay line confronting the disc and a protuberance on the disc at the same radial distance from the axis of rotation of the disc as the exhaust and the arrangement being such that the exhaust is choked except when the protuberance is in alignment therewith.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the comparator comprises a pair of biased bistable fluidic devIces a first one of which is arranged to produce an output signal if the leading edge of the second pulse is received more than a predetermined time after the leading edge of the first pulse but before the end of the first pulse and the other of which is arranged to produce an output signal if the leading edge of the second pulse is received more than a predetermined time before that of the first pulse.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which each of said output signals from the first and second bistable devices is operative to actuate the supply of fluid to a respective side of a diaphragm valve and a switching arrangement is provided for equalizing the pressure across the diaphragm when such output ceases.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the comparator includes a third bistable device having an input connected to the delay line nearer to the exhaust then the first and second bistable devices and arranged to produce an output if the trailing edge of the first pulse has passed before the leading edge of the second pulse is received, said output signal being arranged to produce the same effect as said output signal from said first bistable device.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, including an auxiliary delay line arranged to be supplied with fluid from the same source as that supplied to the first mentioned delay line and having inputs to the bistable device so connected thereto that identical signals from the two delay lines oppose one another in the comparator. 